PLEASE NOTE: OUR INDIA PROJECTS PHASED OUT

After more than two decades, Back to Life has decided to phase out all projects in Benares by the end of 2017. The decision was preceded by a whole year of meticulous reviews, many discussions and many visits of our projects. We have considered many factors: the social development in India in the past years, the improvement of the financial situation of our almost adults teenagers at our homes, the evaluation and analysis of our cooperation with a partner association in India, the requirements of the Youth Welfare Office of Benares but also the attempts of blackmailing of some of our former children, who wanted to gain a profane financial advantage.

Our extensive analysis showed that our support in Benares is not really needed anymore because India now offers different possibilities to get promoted by the state: from special education and training programs to minimum wage and even subsidized rents. Even the living conditions of the parents of our children have been sustainably improved. Every family now lives in small simple rooms, apartments or even small houses – they all have a roof over their heads.

Since Back to Life only works in hot spots, where without outside support no further development would take place, we decided to fully concentrate our work on our Nepalese projects. We now reach up to 45,000 people in both countries – but more than 95 % are coming from Nepal.

We were always concerned to help the original group of beggars and street children that Stella Deetjen met 20 years ago so that they can lead a better life. We think our mission in Benares is fulfilled and now want to focus our whole energy and attention on Nepal.

In our magazine „namaste“ (edition Winter 2017), which can also be found as an online version under the following link, we go into more detail about our reasons -> To the magazine

We wholeheartedly thank all the supporters of our Indian projects – we have achieved a lot together. Of course, we invite everyone to become part of our Nepal projects, which we are expanding continuously. There are still many things to be done to alleviate poverty and hardship.